Shakedown and limit analyses for 3-D structures using the linear matching method

A recently developed method for 3-D shakedown and limit analyses is evaluated in the present paper. The shakedown and limit loads of a holed plate subjected to biaxial loading are calculated by implementing the upper bound linear matching method into the commercial FE code ABAQUS. A defective pipeline under the combined action of internal pressure and axial tension is also analysed for both shakedown and limit capacities and the results compared with a standard programming method. All the numerical examples confirm the applicability of this procedure to complex 3-D structures. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.